Enabling Sin 8 and 9 October 2013

Today’s Prayer John Henry Newman ( )

Today’s Prayer “God has created me to do Him some definite service. He has committed some work to me which He has not committed to another. I have my mission. I may never know it in this life, but I shall be told it in the next. I am a link in a chain, a bond of connection between persons.

Today’s Prayer He has not created me for naught. I shall do good; I shall do His work. I shall be an angel of peace, a preacher of truth in my own place, while not intending it if I do but keep His commandments.

Today’s Prayer Therefore, I will trust Him, whatever I am, I can never be thrown away. If I am in sickness, my sickness may serve Him; in perplexity, my perplexity may serve Him. If I am in sorrow, my sorrow may serve Him. He does nothing in vain. He knows what He is about. He may take away my friends. He may throw me among strangers. He may make me feel desolate, make my spirits sink, hide my future from me. Still, He knows what He is about.”

Genesis 4:1-16  Some general points  If Genesis 3 gives us the theoretical foundation of sin, Genesis 4:1-16 gives us the practical outcome of sin.  The big idea: sin does not always lead to murder, as it does in this story, but it does always lead to less life, often less interior life.  Some particular points  Biblical names  The occupations of Cain and Abel  The importance of “brother”  The younger brother motif in Scripture

Genesis 4:1-16  An absolutely key phrase:  “Then the L ORD said to Cain, ‘Why are you angry? Why are you dejected? If you act rightly, you will be accepted; but if not, sin lies in wait at the door: its urge is for you, yet you can rule over it’” (vv. 6-7).  Personification of sin  Recall what Merton says about sin – how sin is ultimately about unlovingness  God’s question to Cain  Cain’s question to God

The details  We are soon going to be talking about baptism, what it is, how it relates to what we have been talking about in class, etc.  What better way to learn about baptism than to see one yourselves.  On Saturday, Oct. 19, at 12:00 p.m., I will be baptizing an infant, and I invite all of you to attend to see what is happening, up close and personal.  Afterwards, I will provide lunch for all of you, and we can talk about what happened.  Our day will end by 2:00 p.m.

For homework  Ask your parents to look on the homework webpage and read the short letter I have written them. They can find the letter at the very top of my webpage.  NOTE: attendance at this baptism is not required for class. But it will be fun.